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Welcome to LIMASSOL an extra service of European City Guide / ECG
Information about LIMASSOL
The southern coastal town of Limassol is the island's largest seaside resort. The city spreads for ten miles along the coast. It also boasts the Troodos mountains, in whose fertile foothills most of the country's grapes are grown. Since the Middle Ages when the Crusaders held Cyprus under Richard the Lionheart, Limassol has been known to traders for its wine and sugar cane. Now, this second largest city of Cyprus, with its population of 135.000, is the centre of Cyprus’ wine-making industry. It is also an important commercial and tourist centre. The town has a wide seafront promenade and little shopping streets. The best nightlife on the island it to be found in Limassol with its two well-known festivals: the annual Wine Festival in September, the pre-Lent Carnival with masquerade balls and grand parades, the Limassol Festival in summer, and the ancient Drama Festival at Kourion. On the eastern side of Limassol, many varieties of holiday accommodation have been built close to the sea. These range from luxury hotels to apartments and villas, with access to a wide range of tavernas, pubs, discos and nightclubs. There are numerous beaches to choose from, some very popular and others quite uncrowded, particularly the sandy beach known as "Ladies Mlle', west of the new harbour. Limassol also has an attractive and newly-completed marina equipped with every facility for the yachtsman. Busy St Andrews Street and Makarios Avenue are two of the most important shopping places.
A tour of one of the wineries can also be arranged in order to see how it is produced, and taste the final product. Down near the old port is Limassol Castle, where Richard the Lionheart married Queen Berengaria of Navarre in 1191 and crowned her Queen of England - the first Coronation and Royal Marriage to take place outside of England. Its grounds house the Medieval Museum of Cyprus with interesting pottery and tombstones amongst its numerous exhibits. Limassol also has an Archaeological Museum, with some fascinating statues and pottery finds, the municipal Art gallery as well as a Folk Art Museum, where specially staged room-sets display the old clothes and utensils to their best. The Municipal Gardens with a small zoo offer a pleasant stroll amidst lush trees plants and shrubs.
General Information Capital: Nicosia Area: 9,251 km2 Population: 793,963 (January 1, 2009) Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used. IDD: +357 Timezone: GMT +2 Hr s (+3 Hrs MAR-OCT)
Language Language: Greek 80%, Turkish 11% and English. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek, mainly phonetically
Government Government: Republic
Religion Religion: Greek Orthodox, Muslim.
Health Health: The following vaccinations are recommended: Tetanus.
Currency Currency: Cyprus Pound (CYP) 1.00 = 100 Cents
Exchange Rate Exchange Rate: All 100.00 = USD = 66.8534EUR GBP = 110.480 EUR CHF = 66.1543
Business Hours Business Hours: Bank: Mon-Fri: 15.00-16.45 Mon-Fri: 08.15-12.30
Traffic Traffic: Traffic drives on the left.
Driving License Driving License: An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is valid for one year.
Climate Climate: Temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Temperatures Temperatures: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A 10 10 13 17 22 26 28 28 26 21 16 12 P 76 45 36 18 22 9 1 2 10 25 33 68 S 5 7 7 9 11 13 13 12 11 9 7 5 A=Aver. Daily Temp. (°C)
Mobile Network Mobile Network: GSM 900 / 1800/3G 2100.
GPS GPS: 35.1333°N 33.4354°E
Shopping Hours Shopping Hours: Generally shops are closed on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and on Sundays, otherwise opening hours are 08.00-13.00 16.00-19.00 08.00-13.00 14.30-17.30
